For many kiddies, the Apple iPod is the Red Ryder BB gun (remember A Christmas Story?) of 2004. But that doesn't mean it's the best choice for you and yours. You could shoot your eye out over the price tag, for one. Plus, if your giftee likes to rock out while working out, a tiny, flash-based player is a better choice. Read on to find out how to buy right this year.

	Avoid paying for more than you need. Many high-end players come with perks such as recording (line-in, voice, or FM) and FM tuners, but each feature adds to the unit's price. If your intended recipient just wants to listen to digital music, keep the player simple.
	Don't settle for music only. MP3 players are evolving into do-it-all media gadgets that feature large color screens for viewing photos and videos. Some models aren't much bigger than a typical hard drive MP3 player. But be prepared to spend. If your recipient would appreciate a device that goes above and beyond, consider a player with multimedia capabilities, such as a portable video player (PVP).
	Think about file formats and music services first. The majority of players can play MP3 files. The Apple iPod and iPod Mini also play AAC files and are the only ones that work seamlessly with the iTunes Music Store. Aside from Sony models, nearly all other players work with WMA files, but they also must support secure WMA files to use stores such as MSN Music, Napster, or Wal-Mart.
	Don't pay for more than you need (also, size matters). Unless your music fans intend to put all their tunes on a single device, consider a high-capacity flash player (512MB) or a minihard drive player (up to 5GB). They're more portable, and if you swap new songs in every week or so, these players feel much larger than they actually are. Understand, though, that you get a much better dollar-per-megabyte value for a 20GB player.
	If you're buying for a frequent flier, get a player with good battery life. By good, we mean at least 15 hours per charge. One of the finer qualities of the Creative Zen Touch is its jet-setter battery life of 26-plus hours. Also note that many flash-based players utilize disposable batteries, so you can pack a few spares for a long trip.
	Save those old LPs. If your music junkies plan on digitizing vinyl or cassettes, don't buy a player without line-in recording. It's much easier and faster to convert LPs and tapes to MP3s using a portable player than a computer.
	Leave room for expansion. Never buy a flash player without an expansion slot unless you're sure that it has enough memory. There's nothing worse than paying good money for a player, then running out of space.
	Look for a remote. An in-line remote (one attached to the wire between the device and the headphones) is especially handy when carrying a player in a bag or a pocket. The best in-line remotes even have an LCD and clip to the strap on your bag so that the main device can remain stowed away. Some MP3 players come with a remote, and others offer it as an extracost option.
	Get an armband for a runner. If you're buying for a fitness fan, make sure the MP3 player ships with an armband--not a neck strap or a belt clip. We find that armbands work best for active users; neck straps let the player bounce against your chest, and belt clips can put wires in your way.
	Don't ignore the MP3 CD player. If you're buying for someone who has a CD burner and doesn't plan to use the portable audio device for active pursuits, MP3 CD players offer an economical solution. These devices play audio CDs as well as homemade CDs full of MP3 or WMA files, cost much less than $150, and offer a user experience that's comparable to that of a more expensive hard drive-based option. Best of all, you can buy a blank CD (about 700MB) for less than 50 cents.